Indiana is now home to roughly 73 college and university locations. These institutions are among the majority throughout the U.S. that must comply with federal Title IX guidelines. Title IX was originally established by the U.S. Department of Education in 1972. The intent was to address problems with sexually-based discrimination in all educational institutions.
Schools are tasked with creating and maintaining written policies and procedures that explain how complaints of sexual discrimination are managed. Nationally, enforcement is the responsibility of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Schools that fail to comply with the provisional guidelines may no longer be eligible for federal education funding.
Potential Violations
Sexually-based harassment may be committed by students, faculty, visitors, and others associated with an educational institution. These are sexually-oriented acts that are unwelcomed. Examples include appeals for sexual favors, unwanted advances, and other acts that are verbal, nonverbal or physical.
Acts of sexual harassment may escalate to sexual violence when they are physical and committed against someone's will. This also applies in situations involving a victim that is unable to grant consent. Examples include those who are heavily intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, and although less likely in a campus setting, those who are mentally disabled or too young to consent to sexual activity.
Other types of harassment include stereotyping and taunting. These actions may be gender-based or based on perception. Schools are responsible for ensuring that all individuals are free from these and other actions that create a hostile educational environment.
School Procedure
Upon receiving a complaint, the administration from the Title IX Coordinator's office is responsible for responding in a reasonable time frame. An investigation will commence that is to be free from any conflicts of interest. Federal guidelines call for all parties to be treated “equitably” throughout the proceedings.
These investigations will involve reviewing the evidence and hearing witness testimony. Many schools hold hearings with all parties present. Parties are typically permitted to choose an advisor that will provide support to some extent.
They may also offer alternative options including mediation to reach amicable resolutions. The evidentiary standards that may be used in these matters include a preponderance of the evidence or clear and convincing evidence standards.
LGBTQ Students Accused of Violations
It is estimated that students who identify at LGBTQ now compose 10% of the total enrollment at colleges and universities. This is a group often viewed as not conforming to societal norms. Based on stereotypical or false perceptions, LGBTQ students that are accused of these types of misconduct may feel that their rights are insufficiently protected. It is recommended to consult with an experienced attorney.
Why Should an Attorney Serve in the Advisor Role?
It is strongly encouraged that students consider seeking experienced legal representation for this advisory role. An attorney will assist you in preparation, ensure your rights are protected and are of importance during all stages of the proceedings including during the investigation, a hearing if convened, and any appeals process.
Experienced Title IX Advisor for Students in Indiana
Students that are found to have committed violations of their school's policies relating to Title IX in Indiana most often face significant repercussions. Joseph D. Lento is an attorney that will work to achieve a positive outcome for you. Contact the office today at (888) 535-3686 for assistance.
Illinois colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your gay or lesbian student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools
- American Academy of Art
- American InterContinental University Online
- Argosy University Chicago
- Argosy University Schaumburg
- Augustana College
- Aurora University
- Benedictine University
- Black Hawk College
- Blackburn College
- Bradley University
- Carl Sandburg College
- Chamberlain College of Nursing Illinois
- Chicago State University
- Christian Life College
- City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College
- City Colleges of Chicago Harry S Truman College
- City Colleges of Chicago Kennedy King College
- City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X College
- City Colleges of Chicago Olive Harvey College
- City Colleges of Chicago Richard J Daley College
- City Colleges of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
- College of DuPage
- College of Lake County
- Columbia College Chicago
- Concordia University Chicago
- Danville Area Community College
- DePaul University
- DeVry University Illinois
- Dominican University
- East West University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Elgin Community College
- Elmhurst College
- Eureka College
- Fox College Inc .
- Greenville College
- Harper College
- Harrington College of Design
- Heartland Community College
- Hebrew Theological College
- Highland Community College
- Illinois Central College
- Illinois College
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Frontier Community College
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Lincoln Trail College
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Wabash Valley College
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Illinois State University
- Illinois Valley Community College
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- International Academy of Design and Technology Chicago
- ITT Technical Institute Mount Prospect
- ITT Technical Institute Oak Brook
- ITT Technical Institute Orland Park
- John A Logan College
- John Wood Community
- Joliet Junior College
- Judson University
- Kankakee Community College
- Kaskaskia College
- Kendall College
- Kishwaukee College
- Knox College
- Lake Forest College
- Lake Land College
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Chicago
- Lewis and Clark Community College
- Lewis University
- Lexington College
- Lincoln Christian University
- Lincoln College
- Lincoln Land Community College
- Loyola University Chicago
- MacCormac College
- MacMurray College
- McHenry County College
- McKendree University
- Methodist College of Nursing
- Midstate College
- Millikin University
- Monmouth College
- Moody Bible Institute
- Moraine Valley Community College
- Morrison Institute of Technology
- Morton College
- National Louis University
- North Central College
- North Park University
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Northern Illinois University
- Northwestern College
- Northwestern College Southwestern Campus
- Northwestern University
- Oakton Community College
- Olivet Nazarene University
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Chicago
- Parkland College
- Prairie State College
- Quincy University
- Rend Lake College
- Richland Community College
- Robert Morris University Illinois
- Rock Valley College
- Rockford Career College
- Rockford College
- Roosevelt University
- Saint Augustine College
- Saint Xavier University
- Sanford Brown College Collinsville
- Sanford Brown College Hillside
- Sauk Valley Community College
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Shawnee Community College
- Shimer College
- South Suburban College
- Southeastern Illinois College
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Southwestern Illinois College
- Spoon River College
- Taylor Business Institute
- Telshe Yeshiva Chicago
- The Illinois Institute of Art Chicago
- The Illinois Institute of Art Schaumburg
- Trinity Christian College
- Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Trinity International University
- Triton College
- University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Springfield
- University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
- University of Phoenix Chicago Campus
- University of St Francis
- VanderCook College of Music
- Vatterott College Quincy
- Waubonsee Community College
- Western Illinois University
- Westwood College Chicago Loop
- Westwood College Dupage
- Westwood College O'Hare Airport
- Westwood College River Oaks
- Wheaton College
Approximately 10% of college students in the United States identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, or questioning according to studies and LGBTQ+ students should not feel alone when accused of sexual misconduct. As importantly, they should they not face such burdens alone or without the necessary support and guidance.
The reason LGBTQ+ students should not go through the Title IX process alone is because, as with all students accused of sexual misconduct, Title IX allegations and charges can change an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process. It is critical to have a dedicated and experienced advocate when facing a challenge in life and Joseph D. Lento has more than a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of LGBTQ+ students at universities and colleges throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York and serves as a Title IX advisor to students facing Title IX and disciplinary cases in Illinois and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
